You’re determined to get a warmer tent during the upcoming winter season, and a candle heater can help do just that. They take up very little space and don’t require a significant investment to get something decent that will greatly impact your overall comfort.
With so many options on the market, you might be wondering which candle heater is the best choice for you. To help make your purchase decision a bit easier, we rounded up this objective review of the best options as well as how to make your own candle lantern.
If you want to know the best candle heater for camping without reading, we recommend the UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern for maximum warmth.
Best Camping Candle Heaters
- UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern (Top Pick)
- UCO Original Candle Lantern Powder
- UCO Unisex Mini Candle Lantern Kit 2.0 (Budget Buy)
- UCO Anodized: Original Lantern Kit
- UCO Original Collapsible Candle Lantern
Compare Top Candle Heaters For Camping
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 UCO Candlelier Deluxe | 86 |  Best value for more warmth | Check Out On Amazon |
 UCO Lantern Powder | 84 | Good entry-level option with decent heat output | Check Out On Amazon |
 UCO Lantern Kit | 78 |  Great for small spaces or only slightly chilly weather | Check Out On Amazon |
 UCO Cocoon Case | 84 | Low weight option with added protection | Check Out On Amazon |
 UCO Collapsible Lantern | 84 | More durable option with small footprint | Check Out On Amazon |
A Word About DIY Candle Heaters
Many campers attempt to make their own DIY candle heaters using tea light candles and a couple of terracotta clay pots.
To do this, you need four to six tea light candles and a container to place them in that won’t catch fire when they’re lit.
A candle heater is made when you light the tea light candles and place a small terracotta pot over them.
This first pot should fit relatively snugly against the candles and should not have a hole in the bottom of it. On top of this small pot, place a larger pot that encompasses the full size of the first one.
This one should have a hole in it to let heat out. As the candles burn, the small pot holds in the heat while the larger pot slowly disperses it into your tent. This usually works best in small to medium size tents.
Of course, making your own candle heater comes with risks. You’ll want to keep some of these tips in mind:
- Be conscious of tent flammability.
- Know the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep the tent well-ventilated while the candles are lit.
If you don’t want to mess with the hassle of creating your own candle heater, here are some of the top-rated candle lanterns.
1. UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern
Overall Score: 86
Advantages
- Higher BTUs than most candle heaters
- Three 9-hour emergency candles
- Heat shield to heat up food and water
- Durable materials
Disadvantages
- Heavier than single candle holders
Candles
The number of candles your lantern comes with dictates how much light and heat the device can give off. The UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern is a great option for campers who want maximum visibility.
It comes equipped with three 9-hour emergency candles that burn clean for hours without odor.
You can choose to burn one or all of the candles in this lantern, making it extremely versatile. Combined with the emergency candles, this makes it ideal for power outages or campsites with no electricity.
The candles are held in place with a spring-loaded holder that will help keep your candles at the best height for their full nine-hour burn.
Weight
While keeping your tent warm, you don’t want to be weighed down with unnecessary equipment. The good news is that this UCO candle lantern is extremely light weight, making it easy to fit into a full pack.
It weighs in right at 1.5 pounds and can easily be carried to your site with its carrying handle and twist-lock base.
Material
This Deluxe Candle Lantern is made from aluminum and glass, making it lightweight and durable.
The base and frame of the lantern are made from aluminum with a wind-proof glass chimney that makes it easy to see inside.
It supports 5000 BTUs of heat, so be sure to use it only in tents that aren’t as flammable.
Features
In addition to providing light, the UCO Candlelier also allows you to warm up water or food.
It comes with a heat shield that you can use to make hot tea, warm up a can of soup, or any other small cooking feat that you can think of.
You’ll still be able to see and enjoy the light, even while you cook on its surface. The handle on the top can also be used to hang the lantern if you want to use it outside the tent.
Overall, this lantern is great not just for heating your tent but also for doing some light cooking. With a maximum of 5,000 BTUs, you’ll be impressed by just how handy this lantern will be in the winter weather.
Price
If you’re looking for a bargain, the UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern will be a homerun. It’s an affordable solution that packs a powerful punch for your pack.
For such a powerful candle warmer, you’ll be impressed by its low price, which varies depending on what color you select.
2. UCO Original Candle Lantern Powder
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- Collapsible and takes up less space
- Decent heat output
- Durable materials
- Affordable
Disadvantages
- Only uses one 9-hour candle
Candles
Much like the Deluxe Candlelier Lantern from UCO, this more basic model features emergency candles that burn clean and steady for up to nine hours.
Instead of having three candles, this model has just one, but that might be all you need.
It provides a great ambient light source and can still remedy cold temperatures, though it won’t produce as much heat as three candles.
The candle is also spring-loaded to keep it in its prime position to burn for nine hours.
Weight
If you’re picky about the weight you add to your pack, this is the candle lantern for you. You won’t find too many candle heaters that put off this much heat at such a low weight.
This model weighs around 0.5 pounds and collapses to take up even less space in your pack.
Material
UCO sticks with what they know and constructs this original lantern out of wind-proof glass and powder-coated aluminum. This material upgrade makes the candle heater ideal for rainy days at the campsite.
It’s less likely to rust and oxidize.
Features
The first and most impressive feature of the UCO Original Candle Lantern Powder is the ability to collapse the lantern.
You can collapse it down to a modest 4.25 inches high when it’s not in use, making it perfect for fully-packed backpacks.
It easily fits right in the palm of your hand with the glass on the inside as an added measure to protect it. The lantern also comes equipped with a handle for carrying and hanging it.
It puts off 1,500 BTUs for a warm tent but won’t be as warm as the Deluxe model with 5,000 BTUs.
Price
For a single candle heater, this is very affordably priced. You’ll be impressed by how budget-friendly it is, especially for a well-known name brand like UCO.
Campers who aren’t sure how much use they’ll get out of their candle heater might want to invest in something like this one, as they won’t be out much money if they end up not using it as often.
3. UCO Unisex’s Mini Candle Lantern Kit 2.0
Overall Score: 78
Advantages
- More compact design
- Much lighter than full candle lanterns
- Best price
Disadvantages
- Uses only tea lights (shorter burn times)
- Does not give off much heat or light
Candles
The UCO Unisex’s Mini Candle Lantern Kit 2.0 is the solution for campers who don’t need much heat and light at their campsite.
If a 9-hour candle seems too much for you, you might appreciate the tea lights used in this mini candle heater. It burns just one tea light at a time, with the lights lasting for three to four hours each.
While you can only burn one light at a time, the kit comes with four lights so that you have some replacements if the light goes out on your maiden voyage with this lantern.
Weight
Because it is a much smaller model, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that this mini candle lantern is perfect for a heavy pack. It weighs just 3.5 ounces, including the candle inside of it.
The miniature version of this lantern is just 4 inches high and 2.25 inches in diameter, so it’ll be easy to carry and stash in your pack.
Material
The mini is made from powder-coated aluminum and glass like the other UCO candle heaters. This makes it resistant to moisture and allows you to enjoy the faint glow from a tea light.
It also comes with a twist-lock vented base, making it more functional when replacing the candle.
Features
This mini candle lantern won’t be your best friend if you’re caught in a winter storm. It’s best for mild nights with just a slight chill in the air.
It can put out some heat, but at 450 BTUs, it is much less than what you get with the three-candle system in the Candlelier or the 1,500 BTUs of the original lantern.
The candle heater comes with a protective carry case to make it easier to transport. It also comes with a handle for carrying and hanging the lantern.
Price
This one is the most reasonably priced out of all the UCO candle heaters.
The UCO Unisex Mini Candle Lantern 2.0 will be a great addition to your other camping gear if you don’t need much heat and have a few dollars to spare.
4. UCO Original Candle Lantern Kit with Cocoon Case and Reflector
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- Collapsible design to take up less space
- Decent heat output
- Very low weight
Disadvantages
- Only one 9-hour candle
Candle
Like many UCO candle heaters, you’ll find that this one contains a single candle, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be long-lasting.
The emergency candles designed for use in this model will last you for a full nine hours, giving off heat and light through the better part of the night.
Like the others, it is also a spring-loaded candle holder to keep it at just the right height to burn effectively for all nine hours.
Weight
This is one area where this candle lantern particularly shines. While some of the other UCO lights will come in closer to one pound, this model weighs roughly 0.25 pounds.
It’s designed to be great for campers on the go, complete with a handle for carrying or hanging it around the campsite.
Material
Like most other UCO models, this is made from lightweight aluminum and glass. This enables it to be as durable as possible without weighing you down.
Every part of this lantern works together to make it an ideal candidate for one of the best candle heaters you’ll find on the market.
Features
The Original Candle Lantern Kit is also collapsible, coming down to just 4.25 inches tall with the glass tucked safely inside the aluminum.
It also comes with a great cocoon case that further protects the lantern when you have to stuff it into your pack.
The case is made of neoprene, so it will be soft on the aluminum but padded enough to protect the integrity of the lantern.
This candle lantern kit puts off roughly 1,500 BTUs of heat, making it on par with most options.
Price
If you want to spend just a few dollars to get something that stands out, this option is affordable and durable.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by this model’s price and convenience for your next addition to your camping gear.
5. UCO Original Collapsible Candle Lantern
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- Made of polished brass for added durability
- Decent heat output
- Collapsible design
Disadvantages
- More expensive
- Only uses one 9-hour candle
Candle
UCO’s final offering on our list of the best candle heaters is the UCO Original Collapsible Candle Lantern in polished brass.
Like the other Original lantern on this list, this one comes equipped with a 9-hour emergency candle complete with a spring lock to keep it at the ideal height while it burns all night long.
It comes with one candle, though others can be purchased separately.
Weight
The weight of this model is great for campers because it’s relatively light.
Coming in right around 0.5 pounds, you’ll have plenty of space in your pack for this collapsible model, or you can use the carrying handle to protect it from breaking in a full backpack.
Material
Unlike the other candle heaters on this list, this UCO offering is made from polished brass with a glass chimney.
Brass is less likely to change color and rust, making it a long-lasting option for those who prefer to make a one-time investment in their gear and never have to worry about it again.
The polished brass is also sharp-looking and sleek for those who care about the aesthetics of their gear.
Features
The main feature to note about this candle heater is it’s collapsible. At its smallest point, it’ll stand at just 4.25 inches tall.
The glass chimney folds into the polished brass frame to protect it and make it worry-free for you to put it with the rest of your gear.
When folded up this way, you won’t have to fret that you’ll make it to the campsite just to find that your glass is cracked. It also puts out 1,500 BTUs of heat.
Price
This model is a little more expensive than the powder-coated steel version of the same design, but it could be worth it if you like the look of the reflective brass.
It still isn’t expensive, but it’ll set you back a few extra dollars.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to go camping in the dead of winter, you need a candle heater to help you keep your tent cozy.
While you can make your own, a lot of value can be added from a store-bought lantern powered by emergency candles or tea lights.
If you want the maximum combination of price, durability, features, and warmth, the UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern is the right fit, with the highest heat output on this list.
Consider making your investment now so that you’re prepared this winter.